Electrochemical Water Treatment Technology Specialist (KTP Associate)

The successful candidate will secure a 26-month collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) position between Heriot-Watt University and Sidon Water Ltd. The Associate will receive specialist training in electrochemistry, water-chemistry analysis, materials and surface characterisation, and predictive modelling from experts at Heriot-Watt University before leading the development of a practical, evidence-based framework for predicting the performance of Sidon Water's Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology. 

The role represents an opportunity to shape how a growing UK water-technology company evaluates, validates and deploys a sustainable, non-chemical approach to scale control and fouling mitigation. You will be at the heart of an interdisciplinary programme linking fundamental scientific investigation with real-world applications in desalination, reverse osmosis, industrial water treatment, leisure, hospitality and commercial hot-water systems. 

This project and its Associate fulfil a critical role at Sidon Water. The Associate will transfer and embed new scientific, analytical and modelling capability within the business, helping Sidon move from demonstration-led sales to a scalable, evidence-based technical-sales and consultancy model. The project will build an improved understanding of ion behaviour, mineral nucleation and scale formation; establish in-house water-testing and analytical procedures; define the technology's operational performance envelope; and develop Sidon's first validated predictive performance model. 

This full-time position is funded by Sidon Water Ltd and Innovate UK. The successful appointee will be based primarily at Sidon Water's premises at 18 North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5NA, with approximately nine months of laboratory-based activity at Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus in Edinburgh across the project. If the project is successful, there may be an opportunity to secure a permanent role at Sidon Water to support the continued development and commercialisation of the capability. 

The role may particularly appeal to people currently engaged in work such as: 

• Water chemistry, water analysis, industrial water treatment, desalination or reverse-osmosis research and development. 
• Electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, physics or surface-characterisation research. 
• Applied scientific or engineering roles that combine laboratory investigation, data analysis, modelling and translation into practical commercial tools. 

As a KTP Associate, you will receive training as part of a national Associate cohort, training on Sidon Water systems and processes, protected development time, and a dedicated personal and professional development budget. 

Keyword search: electrochemistry, water chemistry, scale control, predictive modelling, desalination, reverse osmosis, materials characterisation, industrial water treatment 

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following: 

• →Plan and manage project activity in line with the approved workplan, including project scheduling, budgets, milestones, reporting, risk management and engagement with the Local Management Committee. 
• →Design and carry out a structured programme of laboratory and applied research covering electrochemical behaviour, mineral nucleation, scale formation, water chemistry and operating conditions. 
• →Use and interpret electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and related techniques to investigate ion behaviour, charge-transfer processes and early-stage mineral nucleation. 
• →Develop and validate methods for monitoring nucleation and scale-suppression behaviour, working with Heriot-Watt specialists to ensure scientific rigour and commercial relevance. 
• →Specify, coordinate and interpret materials and surface-characterisation studies, potentially including SEM, EDS, XPS and XRD, to understand mineral composition, growth and adhesion. 
• →Establish Sidon Water's internal water-chemistry testing capability, including methods for hardness, alkalinity, pH, conductivity, dissolved solids and scaling indices such as LSI and RSI. 
• →Evaluate how water composition, temperature, flow, pressure and other operating conditions influence performance, and define an operational performance envelope for the Integro technology. 
• →Integrate electrochemical, water-chemistry, materials and operational datasets into a validated predictive model capable of forecasting performance under different site conditions. 
• →Create and embed standard operating procedures, testing protocols, supplier and intellectual-property databases, decision tools and evidence-management processes within Sidon Water. 
• →Translate technical findings into practical technical-sales materials, application guides, customer-qualification tools, case studies, training materials and recommendations for targeted validation trials. 
• →Support knowledge-transfer workshops and training for Sidon Water's technical, commercial and distributor teams, enabling colleagues to use the new tools and methodologies independently. 
• →Contribute to publications, conference presentations and wider dissemination of project outcomes, while protecting commercially sensitive and intellectual-property information. 
• →Actively participate in the activities of the wider Sidon Water and Heriot-Watt teams as a collaborative and visible member of the partnership. 

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the salary of the post. Activities may be amended over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities. 

The role will be based primarily at Sidon Water in Glenrothes. Regular travel to Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus in Edinburgh will be required, including an anticipated total of approximately nine months of laboratory-based activity during the 26-month project. 

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• →A competitive salary of £36,500, subject to Heriot-Watt confirmation, with a review during the project. 
• →A highly varied role combining laboratory science, data analysis, modelling, technology development and commercial application. 
• →The opportunity to work with experts in electrochemistry, materials and surface science, water chemistry, sustainable engineering and technology commercialisation at Sidon Water and Heriot-Watt University. 
• →The chance to make practical improvements to the sustainable management of scale, water, energy and chemicals across industrial, commercial and desalination systems. 
• →Participation in the national Knowledge Transfer Partnerships scheme, including specialist management training alongside other Associates, protected self-development time and a professional development budget. 
• →Opportunities to prepare a peer-reviewed manuscript and present findings at a relevant national or international conference. 
• →The possibility of a permanent position with Sidon Water following successful completion of the project and subject to business requirements. 
• →Applicants will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria below, rather than solely against the listed duties. 

1. A Master's degree, or equivalent postgraduate-level knowledge and experience, in chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, mechanical/process engineering, physics, water science or a closely related discipline.
2. Practical research or laboratory experience relevant to at least one of the following: electrochemistry, water chemistry, mineral scaling, materials or surface science, water treatment, chemical/process engineering or environmental systems. 
3. Ability to design, plan and execute experiments, maintain accurate records, evaluate results critically and troubleshoot practical laboratory or technical problems. 
4. Strong data literacy, including experience of analysing and interpreting complex datasets and using evidence to support scientific, engineering or strategic decisions. 
5. Project-management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a complex workplan, competing priorities, risks, deadlines and engagement across multiple stakeholders. 
6. Written communication skills, including experience of using technical data to prepare reports, articles, presentations, procedures or other clear evidence-based outputs. 
7. Verbal communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 
8. Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across academic, technical and commercial teams while also working independently. 
9. Strong IT skills, including competence in Microsoft Excel and Word and confidence learning new analytical, modelling and data-management tools. 
10. A practical, proactive and creative approach to problem solving, with strong self-motivation, attention to detail, adaptability and resilience. 
11. A genuine commitment to the successful transfer and embedding of knowledge within Sidon Water and to the wider environmental and commercial aims of the project. 
12. Ability and willingness to work primarily from Sidon Water's Glenrothes premises and to travel regularly to Heriot-Watt University's Riccarton campus and, where required, relevant customer or partner sites. 

1. A PhD, MRes, MPhil or equivalent advanced research experience in electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, environmental science, chemistry, physics, water treatment or a related discipline. 
2. Experience with electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry or related methods. 
3. Experience with, or the ability to specify and interpret, materials and surface-characterisation techniques such as SEM, EDS, XPS or XRD. 
4. Knowledge of industrial water treatment, water chemistry, mineral scaling, reverse osmosis, desalination, heat-exchange systems or related process-water applications. 
5. Experience of statistical analysis, predictive modelling, data science or the use of software such as Python, R, MATLAB or equivalent analytical tools. 
6. Experience of developing experimental protocols, standard operating procedures or repeatable laboratory/testing systems. 
7. Experience of working with external laboratories, suppliers, customers, industrial partners or multidisciplinary research teams. 
8. Awareness of technology commercialisation, technical sales, customer qualification or the identification of market and business opportunities. 

Sidon Water Ltd is a UK-based water-treatment technology company specialising in non-chemical solutions for scale control, fouling mitigation and efficiency improvement across commercial, industrial and infrastructure water systems. The company designs, manufactures and supplies its proprietary Integro electrochemical water-conditioning technology for applications including HVAC and hot-water systems, heat pumps, swimming pools, industrial process water, reverse osmosis and desalination. 

Sidon Water is a growing international business with installations and partnerships across the UK, Europe and wider global markets. Its ambition is to combine sustainable technology with stronger scientific evidence, predictive capability and excellent customer outcomes. The company values innovation, collaboration, integrity, practical problem solving and the rigorous use of data. This KTP is central to Sidon Water's transition towards an evidence-led technical-sales and consultancy model and to its continued investment in UK-based research, product development and manufacturing. 

Heriot-Watt University is a global university with campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, recognised for applied research, teaching and collaboration with business and industry. The University offers specialist programmes across science, engineering, design, business and languages and has a highly international community. 

Applications can be submitted until midnight on Thursday 26 November 2026.

Please submit your application through the Heriot-Watt University recruitment.

Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to: 

Academic: Professor David Bucknall, Knowledge Base Lead - david.bucknall@hw.ac.uk; or Dr Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu, Knowledge Base Supervisor - s.pitchaimuthu@hw.ac.uk. 

Business: Ben Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer, Sidon Water Ltd ben@sidonwater.com.

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